A second Adam to the fight and to the rescue came

This Sunday morning we will continue our study of Mark's gospel. We enter into a very powerful and pride arresting passage. Jesus goes out to do battle with the arch-enemy of God and man, the devil himself.

I have been more impressed than ever recently with the powerful work of Christ as the last Adam who destroyed the work of the evil one. This particular hymn seems to underscore this thought. 

Read below while thinking of the work of Christ in the wilderness that he might begin to crush that serpent while displaying perfect obedience in his holy humanity to his blessed Father.

Praise to the Holiest in the height,
and in the depth be praise;
in all his words most wonderful,
most sure in all his ways!

O loving wisdom of our God!
When all was sin and shame,
a second Adam to the fight
and to the rescue came.

O wisest love! that flesh and blood,
which did in Adam fail,
should strive afresh against the foe,
should strive, and should prevail;

and that the highest gift of grace
should flesh and blood refine:
God’s presence and his very self,
and essence all-divine.

O generous love! that he who smote
in man for man the foe,
the double agony in Man
for man should undergo.

And in the garden secretly,
and on the cross on high,
should teach his brethren, and inspire
to suffer and to die.

Praise to the Holiest in the height,
and in the depth be praise;
in all his words most wonderful,
most sure in all his ways!

Words: John Henry Newman (1801-1890), 1866